BOARD OF EDUCATION 2015-16 BUDGET CALENDAR AND PROCESS

This memo and calendar are provided in response to constituent requests for a greater understanding of the timing and process for development of the Board of Education budget, and opportunities for input.

As established by Town Charter, The Granby Board of Education is responsible for adopting a proposed budget to fund the 2015-16 school year, to be presented to the Granby Board of Finance, which can then accept or reject the BOE budget (on the whole, not line-by-line). Once approved by the BOF, it combines the BOE budget with the approved Town budget (developed by the Board of Selectmen), ultimately putting forth both - as one - to the Granby citizens for a vote, scheduled this year for April 23.

As a practical matter, here is an overview of our BOE annual process:

1)The BOE and BOS develop and present “Plus One” budgets which provide a preliminary five year projection to inform the BOF (completed January 30, 2015; summary memo attached)

2)The BOF then establish a final “budget guideline” for the BOE and BOS to use in developing final proposed 2015-16 budgets. This typically takes the form of a maximum increase. (Meeting on February 24)

3)The School Superintendent develops and presents a detailed recommended budget for the BOE to consider (Meeting on March 4)

4)The BOE takes public comment and reviews the recommended budget; makes changes where it believes appropriate, and ultimately approves a budget to propose to the BOF (throughout March)

5)The BOF takes final public comment and establishes a final proposed combined Town/BOE budget and tax rate to present to the voters.

6)The voters vote. (April 27)

Meeting dates and times are subject to change depending on weather and other circumstances, but also require adequate public notice. There is a master meeting calendar maintained on the Town website ( and a BOE-specific calendar and budget information on the BOE website: (

Superintendent Alan Addley and all of the BOE members are ready and anxious to hear from and engage our constituents in the budget process, as we are in the broader education process, throughout the year.

Event / Notes
January 20 / Three-Board Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Granby Senior Center / Presentation by BOS and BOE of “Plus One” budgets, which project financial needs for the next five years, to inform the BOF and public of longer range forecast.
February 19 / Superintendent’s Community Forum
7:00 p.m.
Central Services / Opportunity to discuss “Plus One” budget presented 1-20-15 at the Three-Board Meeting.
February 24 / Board of Finance Meeting/Three-Board Mtg.
7:00 p.m.
Granby Senior Center / Meeting where BOF will establish budget guidelines for the Town and BOE; opportunity for community input on priorities and funding appetite.
March 4 / Board of Education Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Central Services / Administration to present its proposed budget to the BOE. Good chance to hear initial explanation of priorities and constraints. Copies of proposed budget will be distributed, and available on website.
March 11 / Budget Workshop
7:00 p.m.
Central Services / BOE meeting to hear from public and discuss publically questions and comments about Administration’s proposed budget.
March 18 / Board of Education Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Central Services / Public comment again taken; BOE further discussed proposed budget; may vote on final proposed budget to present to BOF, or elect to engage in further discussion.
March 25 / Budget Workshop
7:00 p.m.
Central Services / If no action taken at last meeting, an additional workshop for public comment and BOE discussion; BOE to take action on moving forward its proposed budget.
March 30 / Board of Finance Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Granby Senior Center / BOE and BOS present their final proposed budgets to BOF. Public comment taken.
April 13 / Town Budget Hearing
7:00 p.m.
HS Auditorium / Full presentation of budget and final open public hearing; after the hearing, the BOF meets to approve final budget to put forward for town-wide vote.
April 27 / Town-Wide Budget Vote
Town Hall Meeting Room
12-8 p.m. / VOTE!